On Friday morning, President Obama appeared in a pre-taped GMA segment, which was filmed at the new Smithsonian Museum of African-American history. Naturally, the topic turned to Donald Trump. Obama was asked about Trump’s attempts to woo black voters, which prompted an unimpressed reaction from our president.
Earlier this week, Trump told a North Carolina rally how things have never been worse for black voters: “You take a look at the inner cities, you get no education, you get no jobs, you get shot walking down the street.” The Republican nominee then grew more hyperbolic by declaring how “places like Afghanistan are safer than some of our inner cities.” Trump apparently forgot the existence of slavery and Jim Crow, or perhaps he’s being willfully blind. It’s almost as if America didn’t exist until Trump rolled out of his mother’s womb. Here’s what Obama thinks of Trump’s version of history:
“Even most 8-year-olds would tell you that whole slavery thing wasn’t very good for black people. Jim Crow wasn’t good for black people. What we have to do is use our history to propel us to make more progress in the future.”
Trump’s presidential bid may be the first time that he’s considered the large issues facing the American people. Or at least, that’s the impression he gives when it comes to his thoughts on black communities. But he’s painting himself as a mighty demigod who can save black voters from themselves. It’s an insult, of course, but Trump either doesn’t realize this or doesn’t care.
Obama previously called out Trump for missing civics lessons, and it’s safe to say that we’ll hear more from both parties on the subject.
